U.S. patent application number 17/433228 was filed with the patent office on 2022-04-28 for surface cleaning tools.
This patent application is currently assigned to MICRONOVA MANUFACTURING, INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is MICRONOVA MANUFACTURING, INC.. Invention is credited to Phillip LeCompte, Lorena Martinez, Mary Taylor.
Application Number | 20220126334 17/433228 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000006124073 |
Filed Date | 2022-04-28 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20220126334 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Martinez; Lorena ; et
al. |
April 28, 2022 |
SURFACE CLEANING TOOLS
Abstract
A surface cleaning tool has a frame supporting a resiliently
flexible panel supported by the frame in an arcuate configuration
such that at least one of first and second opposite end portions of
the resiliently flexible panel can be moved closer to the other end
portion.
Inventors: |
Martinez; Lorena; (Downey,
CA) ; LeCompte; Phillip; (Anaheim, CA) ;
Taylor; Mary; (Redondo Beach, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
MICRONOVA MANUFACTURING, INC. |
Torrance |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
MICRONOVA MANUFACTURING,
INC.
Torrance
CA
|
Family ID: |
1000006124073 |
Appl. No.: |
17/433228 |
Filed: |
February 24, 2020 |
PCT Filed: |
February 24, 2020 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2020/019536 |
371 Date: |
August 23, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62810026 |
Feb 25, 2019 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B08B 9/0808 20130101;
B08B 9/0436 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B08B 9/043 20060101
B08B009/043; B08B 9/08 20060101 B08B009/08 |
Claims
1. A cleaning tool comprising: a support structure or frame
extending from a first end portion to a second end portion; a
handle mounting structure on the support structure or frame; a
resiliently flexible panel having a first panel end portion
supported by the first end portion on the support structure or
frame and a second panel end portion supported by the second end
portion of the support structure or frame such that the panel is
supported to have an arcuate configuration, and wherein at least
one of the first and second panel end portions is movable in a
direction toward the other of the first and second panel end
portions.
2. The cleaning tool of claim 1 wherein the support structure or
frame is a linearly extending bar.
3. The cleaning tool of claim 1 wherein the support structure or
frame is substantially straight.
4. The cleaning tool of claim 1 wherein the handle mounting
structure is mounted on the support structure or frame at an
approximate center of the support structure or frame.
5. The cleaning tool of claim 1 wherein the handle mounting
structure is configured to be pivotable.
6. The cleaning tool of claim 1 wherein the support structure or
frame includes an additional structure extending perpendicular to
the support structure or frame in a direction away from the support
structure or frame and contacting the resiliently flexible
panel.
7. The cleaning tool of claim 1 wherein the first panel end portion
is movable on the support structure or frame toward the second
panel end portion, and wherein the second panel end portion is
movable on the support structure or frame toward the first panel
end portion.
8. The cleaning tool of claim 1 wherein the support structure or
frame includes a pin mounted to the first end portion and wherein
the first panel end portion of the resiliently flexible panel
includes an opening configured sufficiently to permit movement of
the first panel end portion along the pin.
9. The cleaning tool of claim 1 wherein the resiliently flexible
panel is held on the support structure or frame in a flexed
configuration.
10. The cleaning tool of claim 1 wherein the resiliently flexible
panel is supported on the support structure or frame at an
approximate center of the first panel end portion and at an
approximate center of the second panel end portion.
11. The cleaning tool of claim 1 wherein the resiliently flexible
panel is supported on the support structure or frame at an end
portion of the first panel end portion and at an end portion of the
second panel end portion.
12. The cleaning tool of claim 1 wherein the second end portion of
the frame includes an angled surface.
13. The cleaning tool of claim 1 further including a cleaning
element mounted on and supported by the resiliently flexible
panel.
14. The cleaning tool of claim 13 wherein the cleaning element is
mounted on and supported by the resiliently flexible panel and
includes a portion extending to and supported by the support
structure or frame.
15. A cleaning tool comprising: a support structure for a cleaning
material wherein the support structure extends linearly from a
first end portion to a second end portion; a retainer on the second
end portion; a pivotable handle mounting structure on the support
structure; a resiliently flexible panel having a first panel end
portion supported by the first end portion on the support structure
and a second panel end portion supported by the retainer on the
support structure such that the panel is supported to have an
arcuate configuration, and wherein the second panel end portion is
movable on the retainer in a direction toward the first panel end
portion.
16. The cleaning tool of claim 15 wherein the retainer is
configured to permit the resiliently flexible panel to move along
the retainer.
17. The cleaning tool of claim 16 wherein the retainer is
positioned on the support structure at an angled surface of the
support structure.
18. The cleaning tool of claim 17 further including a cleaning
material.
19. A cleaning tool comprising: a support structure for a cleaning
material wherein the support structure extends linearly from a
first end portion to a second end portion having an angled surface;
a retainer on the second end portion having a stop surface at a
distal end of retainer; a pivotable handle mounting structure on a
center portion of the support structure; a resiliently flexible
panel having a first panel end portion supported by the first end
portion on the support structure and a second panel end portion
supported by the retainer on the support structure such that the
panel is supported to have an arcuate configuration, and wherein
the second panel end portion is movable on the retainer from the
stop surface in a direction toward the first panel end portion.
Description
BACKGROUND
Field
[0001] These inventions relate to tools for cleaning interior
cylindrical surfaces, including for example pipes, tubes and
channels.
SUMMARY
[0002] In one example of a cleaning tool, for example for interior
cylindrical surfaces, the cleaning tool includes a support
structure or frame, a handle attachment or adapter, and a
resiliently flexible panel supported at the opposite end portions
of the support structure or frame. In one configuration, the panel
is supported so as to have an arcuate configuration, and in a
further example, at least one end portion of the panel is mounted
on the support structure in such a way as to allow the at least one
end portion to be movable relative to the support structure. In one
example, the at least one end portion is movable closer to the
support structure. In an exemplary structure, the support structure
includes a pin, spindle or shaft at an end portion of the support
structure with the at least one end portion of the panel supported
on the pin, spindle or shaft. In another example combined with or
separate from any of the foregoing examples, an end portion of the
support structure includes a slanted or angled surface for
providing space for movement of an adjacent end portion of the
panel.
[0003] In another example of a cleaning tool, for example for
interior cylindrical surfaces, cleaning tool includes a support
structure or frame and a resiliently flexible panel supported at
opposite end portions of the support structure or frame. The
resiliently flexible panel includes end portions wherein each end
portion extends from the first and second respective opposite
sides, and wherein the resiliently flexible panel is supported by
the support structure or frame at first sides of the first and
second respective opposite sides so that the panel is not centered
from side to side on the support structure, but instead the support
structure is positioned closer to one edge of the resiliently
flexible panel than to the other edge. In one configuration, the
resiliently flexible panel is supported on the support structure or
frame in such a way that at least one end portion of the
resiliently flexible panel is movable closer to at least one end
portion of the support structure or frame. In another example, at
least one end portion of the support structure or frame includes a
slanted or angled surface, slanted in a direction in which a
portion of the resiliently flexible panel extends arcuately.
[0004] These and other examples are set forth more fully below in
conjunction with drawings, a brief description of which
follows.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is an upper front isometric view of an example of a
cleaning tool.
[0006] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the cleaning tool of FIG.
1.
[0007] FIG. 3 is a rear elevation view of the tool of FIG. 1.
[0008] FIG. 4 is an upper rear isometric view of another example of
a cleaning tool.
[0009] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the cleaning tool of FIG.
4.
[0010] FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the cleaning tool of FIG.
4.
[0011] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a cylindrical body having a
closed end and an opposite open end with a constricted opening.
[0012] FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the cleaning tool of FIG. 1
with a cleaning element supported thereon.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] This specification taken in conjunction with the drawings
sets forth examples of apparatus and methods incorporating one or
more aspects of the present inventions in such a manner that any
person skilled in the art can make and use the inventions. The
examples provide the best modes contemplated for carrying out the
inventions, although it should be understood that various
modifications can be accomplished within the parameters of the
present inventions.
[0014] As used herein, "substantially" shall mean the designated
parameter or configuration, plus or minus 10%. However, it should
be understood that terminology used for orientation or relative
position, such as front, rear, side, left and right, upper and
lower, and the like, may be used in the Detailed Description for
ease of understanding and reference, and may not be used as
exclusive terms for the structures being described and
illustrated.
[0015] A cleaning tool 100 (FIGS. 1-3) can be used to clean the
inside of a channel, tube, receptacle and/or other cylindrical or
partially cylindrical container or conduit, for example such as may
be used for moving fluids, powders or other materials. In one
example of a structure that can be cleaned with a cleaning tool
such as those described herein, an enclosure 50 is formed
cylindrical, with a cylindrical wall 52 extending longitudinally
(into the image as viewed in FIG. 7) and circularly, as can be seen
in FIG. 7. The enclosure 50 can be part of a tube, pipe or other
longitudinally extending enclosure, or it can be a receptacle as
illustrated. In the illustrated example, the cylindrical wall
includes an inside or interior surface 54 extending longitudinally
parallel to a central axis to an end surface 56, forming the
closure for the enclosure 50. FIG. 7 shows an exaggerated
perspective/convergence of the cylindrical wall for purposes of
illustration, while it is understood that the enclosure 50 in the
example is a conventional closed cylindrical receptacle. In the
present example, the enclosure 50 includes a rim 58 at the end of
the enclosure opposite the end surface 56. The rim 58 extends
inward from the cylindrical wall 52 to a circular edge surface 60.
Other configurations of enclosure can also accommodate the cleaning
tools described herein.
[0016] The cleaning tool 100 includes a frame 102 or other support
structure for supporting a support panel 104. The frame includes a
control attachment 106, which is used by a user to manipulate the
cleaning tool. The control attachment in the illustrated examples
removably receives a handle or other implement (not shown) for
moving and controlling the cleaning tool. In many instances, the
control attachment 106 is a handle attachment for receiving a
handle or handle extension, for example threaded into the control
attachment, and releasably secured by a fastener 108 or other
securement. The control attachment is pivotable about an axis 110,
to allow adjusting the orientation of the support panel and
cleaning material (described more fully below) relative to the
handle, for example about 180.degree.. The control attachment is
fixed to a portion of the frame, in the present example centered
between endpoints on a portion of the frame.
[0017] The frame 102 includes a transversely extending brace bar
112, extending transversely of the handle and the support panel
104. The brace bar includes a first end portion 114 and a second
end portion 116. In the illustrated configuration, the brace bar
extends linearly between the first and second end portions. The
second end portion 116 in the illustrated configuration includes an
angled interior surface 117, formed to face the concave surface of
the support panel 104 when the support panel is in place. The
angled interior surface 117 permits greater inward movement and/or
bending of the support panel toward the first end portion of the
support panel, to permit easier passage of the cleaning tool past a
rim of an opening, for example rim 58. The control attachment 106
is substantially centered between the first and second end
portions. The frame includes a radial support rod 118, in the
present example extending from the center of the brace bar 112 into
contact with the support panel 104. The control attachment is
mounted to the radial support rod where the radial support rod
intersects the brace bar 112.
[0018] The frame 102 supports the support panel 104 at respective
first and second end portions of the support panel, 120 and 122,
respectively. In the present example, the first support panel end
portion 120 is fixed or otherwise secured to the brace bar at the
first end portion 114 of the brace bar. Also in the present
example, a center portion of the first support panel end portion is
mounted to the brace bar, or in other words, the frame 102 is
centered axially of the support panel 104.
[0019] The support panel 104 is a planar support panel having a
width that is substantially greater than its thickness. The width
and thickness can be selected as desired, and the ratio of the
thickness to the width can also be selected as desired. The length
of the support panel is selected so as to fit on and be supported
by the frame 102 in a semicircular configuration, for example as
can be seen in FIGS. 1-2. The frame can be configured to support
the support panel in other geometric configurations, as a function
of the configuration of the frame.
[0020] The second end 122 of the support panel 104 is supported on
the second end 116 of the frame 102. The second end 122 is
supported in such a way that the second end of the support panel
can move closer to the frame or closer to the first end of the
support panel. Moving closer to the first end of the support panel
reduces the maximum spacing between the first and second ends, and
makes easier insertion of the cleaning tool into a channel, pipe or
receptacle, including ones such as receptacle 50 having a reduced
diameter rim 58.
[0021] In the present example, the second end portion 122 of the
support frame 104 is supported on a pin 124 mounted on the brace
bar 112 at the second end 116. As illustrated, the pin extends into
the brace bar parallel to a longitudinal axis of the brace bar, but
can extend at an angle to the longitudinal axis, for example to
make easier or more difficult the movement of the second end 122 of
the support panel toward the first end 120.
[0022] The pin 124 includes a head or stop 126 for limiting outward
movement of the second end portion 122. The pin in one example is a
flathead screw resting in a countersink in the support panel. The
support panel 104 includes an opening or other geometry 128
allowing the desired movement of the support panel on the pin 124.
In the present examples, the inside surface of the head 126 is
approximately one half inch from the adjacent surface of the brace
bar 112 for an approximately 12 inch diameter, semi-circular
support panel, or in other words about 4% or between 3-10% of the
length of the combined brace bar and pin. Similar spacing can be
used with smaller diameters, such as an 8 inch diameter support
panel, or the spacing can be reduced using a similar ratio. Other
diameters for the support panel can also be used.
[0023] A similar pin (not shown) may also be used on the first end
portion of the frame to support the first end portion of the
support panel to allow the first end portion of the support panel
to move closer to the second end portion of the support panel.
[0024] The support panel 104 may be formed from
polytetrafluoroethylene or Teflon, low density polyethylene, or
other resiliently flexible materials having sufficient stiffness
and strength to be resiliently flexible and to maintain its shape
against the inside surface of a cylindrical wall and to support a
cleaning material such as a fabric, foam or similar material placed
over the support panel. In the present example, the support panel
104 is formed from a planar material, in the present example about
1/8 inch thick, and placed on the frame so that an outside surface
130 is substantially smooth and uniform, and the inside surface 132
is also substantially smooth and uniform. Other configurations may
be used.
[0025] A cleaning element in the form of a cleaning pad 133 (FIG.
8) can then be mounted or secured on the support panel 104. The
cleaning pad may be formed from any number of materials or
combinations of materials, including foam, cloth, mesh, microfiber
or other cleaning material. The cleaning pad preferably extends
over the exterior surface 130 of the support panel and around the
first and second end portions of the support panel. The cleaning
pad also preferably extends over the arcuate edge surfaces 134 and
136 of the support panel and opposite edge portions of the cleaning
pad extending over the arcuate edge surfaces secured to each other.
In many configurations, the cleaning pad will cover substantially
all of the support panel 104, and in some configurations, the
cleaning pad will also cover substantially all of the frame but the
control attachment 106.
[0026] In another example (FIGS. 4-6) of a cleaning tool 200, for
example a cleaning tool for cleaning enclosures such as described
herein, the cleaning tool includes a frame 202 for supporting a
support panel 204. The frame includes a control attachment 206
having the same or similar structures and functions as the control
attachment 106 described above. A handle or other control device
may be releasably secured by fastener 208 or other securement. The
control attachment is also pivotable about an axis 210 forming part
of a block 211 fixed to a portion of the frame 202, for example
pivotable about 180.degree..
[0027] Frame 202 includes a transversely extending brace bar 212,
extending transversely of the handle and the support panel 204. The
brace bar includes a first end portion 214 and a second end portion
216. In the illustrated configuration, the brace bar extends
linearly between the first and second end portions. The second end
portion 216 in the illustrated configuration includes an angled
interior surface 217, formed to face the concave surface of the
support panel 204 when the support panel is in place. The angled
interior surface 217 permits greater inward movement and/or bending
of the support panel toward the first end portion of the support
panel, to permit easier passage of the cleaning tool past a rim of
an opening, for example rim 58. In the illustrated example, the
control attachment 206 is substantially centered between the first
and second end portions.
[0028] The frame 202 supports the support panel 204 at respective
first and second end portions of the support panel, 220 and 222,
respectively. In the present example, the first support panel end
portion 220 is fixed or otherwise secured to the brace bar at the
first end portion 214 of the brace bar. In another configuration,
the first support panel end portion 220 can be supported on a pin
or other retainer allowing movement of the first support panel end
portion toward the second support panel end portion. The support
panel 204 is mounted at arcuate edge surfaces 220a and 222a of the
first and second end portions of the support panel, rather than at
portions of the first and second end portions intermediate the
arcuate edge surfaces.
[0029] The support panel 204 is substantially the same as the
support panel 104 described previously, except that the width of
the support panel 204 is approximately twice that of the support
panel 104, which in the present example is about 4 inches. The
width of the support panel 204 is about 8 inches. The
characteristics of the support panel are chosen in substantially
the same way as that described above with respect to the support
panel 104.
[0030] The second end 222 of the support panel 204 is supported on
the second end 216 of the frame 202. The second end 222 is
supported in such a way that the second end of the support panel
can move closer to the frame or closer to the first end of the
support panel 204. Moving closer to the first end of the support
panel reduces the maximum spacing between the first and second ends
of the support panel, and makes easier insertion of the cleaning
tool into a channel, pipe or receptacle, including ones such as
receptacle 50 having a reduced diameter rim 58.
[0031] In the illustrated example, the second end portion 222 of
the support frame 204 is supported on a pin 224 mounted on the
brace bar 212 at the second end 216. The pin extends into the brace
bar parallel to a longitudinal axis of the brace bar, but can
extend at an angle to the longitudinal axis. The pin 224 includes a
head or stop 226. The support panel 204 includes an opening or
other geometry 228 allowing the desired movement of the support
panel 204 on the pin 224. The inside surface of the head 226 is
approximately a half inch from the adjacent surface of the brace
bar 212.
[0032] A cleaning pad (such as may be similar to the cleaning pad
133 in FIG. 8) can then be mounted on the support panel 204, and in
some configurations part of the cleaning pad can be mounted on a
portion of the brace bar 212 so that the external surface 230 of
the support panel 204 and a lower surface 240 or all of the brace
bar 212 can be covered with the cleaning pad. The cleaning pad
would also cover the arcuate edge surfaces 242 and 244 of the
support panel and the end surfaces 246 and 248 of the support panel
adjacent the first and second end portions. Operable cleaning
surfaces of the cleaning pad include those portions covering the
arcuate edge surfaces, the external surface 230 of the support
panel and the portion of the cleaning pad extending from a lower
arcuate edge 242 of the support panel to the lower surface 240 of
the brace bar. In such a configuration, the cleaning pad has an
arcuate cleaning surface and a relatively flat cleaning surface.
The arcuate cleaning surface can clean the concave surfaces of a
pipe, channel or other cylindrical body, and the relatively flat
cleaning surface can be used to clean the flat end surface of the
receptacle, for example end surface 56. Additionally or
alternatively, the handle can be positioned perpendicular to an
axis of rotation of the support panel 204 (or similarly for the
support panel 104 in the cleaning tool 100), and the handle can be
used to press the external surface 230 of the support panel against
the end surface 56 of the receptacle. The handle can then be
rotated to rotate the support pad and support panel in a circle
around the bottom of the receptacle to clean the end surface 56.
Thereafter (or before), the handle can be positioned parallel to
the axis of rotation of the support panel 102 and the handle
rotated to rotate the support panel 204 and the cleaning pad around
the outer portion of the end surface 56. Additionally or
alternatively, where the cleaning pad is configured to cover all of
the frame but the control attachment 206 (or 106), a substantial
portion of the end surface 56 can be cleaned by rotating the handle
when the handle is positioned parallel to the axis of rotation of
the support panel.
[0033] Having thus described several exemplary implementations, it
will be apparent that various alterations and modifications can be
made without departing from the concepts discussed herein. Such
alterations and modifications, though not expressly described
above, are nonetheless intended and implied to be within the spirit
and scope of the inventions. Accordingly, the foregoing description
is intended to be illustrative only.
* * * * *